Broome sends letter to Sterling’s attorneys

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has responded to a letter emailed May 24, 2017, by attorneys for family members of Alton Sterling:

Dear Attorneys Stewart, Bamberg, Decuir and Adams:

First and foremost, I want the Sterling family to know I have never stopped praying for them. However, I know — like Scripture tells us so frequently — faith must be combined with action.

Be assured, I have been consistently seeking an expedited resolution to the investigations into Mr. Sterling’s death, and calling for disciplinary actions against Baton Rouge Police Department officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II. I have advised Chief Carl Dabadie Jr. of my concerns regarding the employment status of these officers. I believe they should be removed from paid administrative leave and disciplined consistent with the severity of their actions. In Officer Salamoni’s case, this warrants termination. I will be following up with a hand-delivered letter to the chief stating such. The images on the video seen around the world and additional information detailing Officer Salamoni’s actions are both disturbing and reprehensible. I understand the outrage of the Sterling family and our community.

While I do not have the direct authority to terminate these officers, Chief Dabadie does. According to revised statutes for municipality fire and police departments in Louisiana, the chief has appointing and disciplinary authority. I understand and respect the need for fairness and due process, but the process has gotten us here.

The chief’s next steps are important to not only the Sterling family and this community, but also to this police department that I fully respect and appreciate. As you stated in your letter, “… not all officers in the BRPD conduct themselves in the same manner as Officer Salamoni.”

Again, I have been working and will continue to do everything in my power to ensure fairness and justice for all citizens of Baton Rouge.